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Accessibility Statement

 

Accessibility Statement for Bishops Waltham Parish Council

Website: https://bishopswaltham-pc.gov.uk
Last updated: 10/12/2025

Bishops Waltham Parish Council is committed to making its website accessible to as many people as possible. This means you should be able to:

  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard

  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software

  • listen to most of the website using a screen reader

  • zoom in up to 300% without loss of content or functionality

  • use the website on a range of devices and orientations

We are committed to continually improving the accessibility and usability of our website in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

Compliance Status

This website is partially compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-Accessible Content

The following content may not yet fully meet accessibility standards:

1. PDFs and Other Documents

Some older documents, including meeting minutes, agendas, and reports, may not be fully accessible to screen reader users due to:

  • missing text alternatives

  • non-selectable text (scanned PDFs)

  • incorrect heading structure

We are working to replace or update essential documents over time. Any new documents we publish will meet accessibility standards wherever possible.

2. Third-Party Integrations

Some features provided by third-party services (e.g., maps, embedded widgets, external forms) may not fully meet WCAG requirements. We do not control these services but will provide accessible alternatives where feasible.

3. Media Content

Historic video or audio content may not include captions or transcripts. New media published from 2025 onward will meet accessibility guidelines.

4. Colour Contrast & Legacy Layouts

Some decorative elements or older template sections may not meet minimum colour contrast ratios. These are being reviewed as part of ongoing updates.

What We’re Doing to Improve Accessibility

We use automated tools (including Ally for WordPress/Elementor), manual checks, and ongoing audits to identify and fix accessibility issues. Improvements include:

  • updating templates for better structure and consistency

  • improving keyboard-focus visibility

  • ensuring form labels and error messages are accessible

  • updating documents into accessible formats

  • ensuring all new content meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards

We review the site’s accessibility at least annually or when major updates are made.

Feedback and Contact Information

We welcome feedback and suggestions to help improve accessibility.

If you encounter accessibility barriers when using our website, please contact:

Executive Officer, Mrs Emma McKenzie
Address: Parish Council Office, The Jubilee Hall, Little Shore Lane, Bishops Waltham, Southampton, SO32 1ED
In Person: Tuesday to Friday 10:00-14:00 at the above address. Other times and days by appointment only.
Email: parishclerk@bishopswaltham-pc.gov.uk
Call: 01489 892323

We aim to reply within 3–5 business days.

Enforcement Procedure

If you are not satisfied with how we respond to your accessibility complaint:

  • In the UK, you may contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) for independent advice.

  • If you are a public sector user, you can also report accessibility issues to the Government Digital Service (GDS).

Preparation of This Accessibility Statement

This statement was prepared on 10/12/2025.
It was created with the assistance of automated testing tools, manual audits, and content review.